Thanks for your post.  It gave me a lot to think about.  The one part I am still unsure about (and I know I just need to take it to prayer) is about treating them as if they have lied even when you just suspect it.  I find myself wondering whether I am unfairly accusing or [...]

I have one son who doesn’t seem to be responding much to the changes in our family, and I am starting to worry about him.  I know you have dealt with many children who have come from dysfunctional situations and maybe even need counseling.  I am wondering if there is a way to tell if [...]

Most parents I know would say they love their children unconditionally.  This unconditional love is the most powerful kind of love there is.  Some Christians call this kind of love, “Christ-like Love.” 
Feeling love for another person in your heart is not enough to make your love unconditional.  True unconditional love is a kind of love [...]

Hi, I am a tired mom who is really trying very hard to have all the time and the spirit in our home. I have 2 kids. My lovely daughter, is freshly 4 years old and my sweet son, is 20 months old. Ours days are packed with action. In our family meeting we discuss [...]

Someone emailed me about tattling.  There are two great posts on the subject.  One is called Tattling Question and the other is Ending Tattling.  If you want to read those.  Type tattling in the light blue bar at the top right corner of the site and then click the post you want to read for [...]

With the SODAS - do you only use these when you see a problem, or do you do them randomly and/or on a regular basis? 
I use SODAS whenever I think we practice problem solving, but especially if we have had a problem problem solving.  ;)  I start my small children out problem solving by playing [...]

I was recently asked if I thought I was a strict parent.  I have never liked the word strict, because I have associated it with a parent who yells a lot, is stern looking and engages in power struggles.  So, in response to the question, I said, “I wouldn’t use the word strict to describe [...]

What about extra chores?
On Sundays we don’t do heavy work, or major maintenances in order to keep our Sabbath.  But children still make bad choices on Sundays.  My policy is this:
If my child chooses to earn an extra chore on a Sunday then I try to think of something that I would normally have to [...]

I was asked how I handle lying.  This is a very common problem with children who are trying to gain control of their lives and other people. 
In the past I have written many posts on lying.  Two posts which may especially be helpful are “Communicating Honestly“  And “Honesty“.  If you type these words into the light [...]

As I was looking at your chore chart, I thought of another question I’ve been meaning to ask about chores. I noticed Sunday is listed as a day of rest on the charts–how does that work with things that have to be done everyday (like setting/clearing the table, dishes, animals, making beds, etc.)? Also, how [...]